Experts highlight Africa’s growing space sector at Italy–Africa Business Week

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Discussions on Africa’s emerging space industry and its potential role in economic development featured prominently at the ninth edition of the Italy–Africa Business Week, which concluded on March 6, 2026.

During a panel titled “From Microenterprise to Space: New Development Paths in African Markets,” legal professional and regulatory analyst Ian Elly Ssali Kiggundu joined other experts to examine how innovation, technology and strategic partnerships are reshaping Africa’s economic landscape across multiple sectors.

Legal professional and regulatory analyst, Ian Elly Ssali Kiggundu

Participants explored the evolving relationship between grassroots entrepreneurship and advanced industries such as aerospace, highlighting how scalable business models and cross-sector collaboration can support sustainable growth and open new opportunities across the continent.

In his remarks, Kiggundu focused on the rapid expansion of Africa’s space sector, noting that the industry is attracting growing international interest and partnerships, including opportunities to access European funding mechanisms. He emphasized the importance of developing strong legal and regulatory frameworks that can attract investment while ensuring effective African governance of space activities.

The discussion also examined how space law and regulatory coordination could support economic development, particularly as private sector participation in space activities continues to grow globally. Participants highlighted the role of institutions such as the African Union in fostering cooperation among African states and strengthening regulatory alignment to position the continent in global space governance.

The event, organized by Le Réseau in collaboration with the Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, the Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo and the International Organization for Migration, brought together government officials, business leaders and experts to discuss economic cooperation between Europe and Africa.

Over three days, the forum provided a platform for dialogue, networking and knowledge exchange aimed at strengthening partnerships that support innovation, sustainable development and long-term collaboration between the two regions.